SAT and ACT percentiles and scores: there’s no pass mark
First checked October 11, 2026; rechecked October 23, 2026 · Sources: ACT scoring from ACT’s own pages; SAT scale from College Board, as widely reported; the official ACT/SAT concordance.
Neither test has a pass mark, so SAT and ACT percentiles and college score ranges are what matter. The SAT is scored 400 to 1600. The ACT Composite is 1 to 36 and, since September 2025, is the average of English, math and reading only; optional Science and Writing are reported separately. What counts as a good score depends on your colleges.
How each test is scored
| SAT | ACT | |
|---|---|---|
| Total score | 400-1600 | Composite 1-36 |
| Section scores | 200-800 each for Reading and Writing, and Math | 1-36 each for English, math and reading |
| What counts | Reading and Writing plus Math | English, math and reading (average) |
| Optional parts | None (essay discontinued) | Science and Writing, reported separately |
| Extra scores | Percentiles for each score | A STEM score if you take Science, as described by ACT |
| Superscore | Many colleges superscore | ACT Superscore uses English, math and reading |
Sources: ACT; College Board.
Comparing scores between tests
ACT and College Board publish an official ACT/SAT concordance table. Use it, rather than rules of thumb, to compare a score on one test with the other. Take a free official practice test of each, then compare the results on the concordance table to see which test suits you.
What’s a good score?
Look at the middle 50% score ranges your target colleges publish, and check scholarship cut-offs. Test-optional does not always mean test-blind; many schools still use scores for merit aid.
How to set your target
List each college's published middle 50% range for the SAT or ACT.
Aim for the middle of the range or above at most schools on your list, and check any scholarship cut-offs.
Take a full official practice test to see the gap between your current score and your target.
Common questions about SAT and ACT scores
Is there a passing score on the SAT or ACT?
No. Neither test has a pass mark; colleges look at your score against their own ranges.
Does ACT Science count toward the Composite?
No. Since September 2025, the ACT Composite is the average of English, math and reading; Science is reported separately.
How do I compare SAT and ACT scores?
Use the official ACT/SAT concordance table published by ACT and College Board.
What is a good SAT or ACT score?
It depends on your colleges. Check the middle 50% ranges they publish and any scholarship cut-offs.